Chess Puzzle #3mUDV — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen d3; rooks c2/f1; bishop b2; knights a4/e1; pawns a3/d4/e3/f2. Black: king g8; queen g2; rooks c8/e8; bishop g3; knight g4; pawns a7/c6/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3+ — rook e8→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe3 — queen d3→e3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf1+ (queen g2→f1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf1 — king e2→f1, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxe3+ (knight g4→e3, captures queen, gives check).
4. Best move: fxe3 — pawn f2→e3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/p4ppp/2p5/3p4/N2P2n1/P2QP1b1/1BR1KPq1/4NR2 b - - 5 25

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